Contact us
- 2 Link Road
- Macquarie University NSW 2109
- E: sustainability@mq.edu.au
A Framing of Futures
Learn about Macquarie's purpose & priorities for the future
Read it nowSustainable Development Goals
The global blueprint for a more sustainable future for all
Read more about the goalsSustaining our future
Sustainability Strategy: 2015-2019 (currently under review)
Download the strategyEmbedding sustainability in key systems
The strategic document Our University: A Framing of Futures clearly indicates a commitment to the principles of sustainability in all we do.
Governance is a key enabler for creating a culture of sustainability – providing guidelines, controls and frameworks for sustainability in an open and transparent system. Good quality, efficient processes and systems are vital for progressing through the change required to achieve sustainability.
Macquarie University is currently finalising our next Sustainability Strategy which will take us through to 2030. This strategy has been formulated through wide consultation with the University community under the guidance of the University Sustainability Steering Committee. This committee incorporates members of the University Executive Team, including Robin Payne (Vice-President Finance and Resources), Professor Eric Knight (Executive Dean, Macquarie Business School), and Professor Rorden Wilkinson (Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic)).
Our new Sustainability Strategy will be launched later in 2024.
Policies and procedures
Each policy and procedure is developed through consultation with staff and students on campus. This involvement is critical to developing policies that are meaningful and will guide sustainability measures at Macquarie.
All policies, including those that specifically relate to sustainability, can be found on Policy Central.
Embedding sustainability
Sustainability is embedded in key systems throughout Macquarie, from staff induction to on-boarding programs like Target Better Futures and our Sustainability Representative Network.
Sustainability induction modules
All new staff are required to undertake two online sustainability modules as part of their induction to the University. The modules are designed to be fun and engaging, and provide our staff with opportunities and resources to learn more about sustainability and their role in sustainability at Macquarie University. If you have an iLearn log in, you can access the online modules through the Community Units section of iLearn.
Target Better Futures
Committing to sustainability is more than the operational aspects of developing a vibrant and sustainable campus; it is about making sustainability business-as-usual in your organisational culture. To this end, embedding sustainability in all we do is a collective responsibility. Target Better Futures is designed to help your department work towards that.
Sustainability Representative Network
The Sustainability Representative Network (SRN) comprises sustainability champions from all departments and faculties across Macquarie. SRN members provide education and promote awareness concerning sustainability within their faculties and departments. SRN members receive formal recognition of their role.
Accountability
Macquarie University regularly reports environmental, social and economic information, both voluntarily and as required under State and Federal legislation.
Reporting helps us monitor our impact and respond accordingly, by benchmarking our performance against standards, law, industry and best practice. It keeps us on track to meet our targets, warns when we are off track and highlights areas for improvement.
Macquarie University's major annual reporting activities include:
National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Scheme (NGERS)
The NGER Act (2007) introduced a single national framework for Australian entities to report greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption and energy production. The data is used to help inform government policy and meet Australia's international reporting obligations.
Macquarie University reports annually under NGERS for all facilities, entities and assets under the operational control of the University, on all activities with greenhouse gas or energy use implications.
Tertiary Education Facilities Management Association (TEFMA)
Macquarie University reports annually to TEFMA, an association supporting excellence in higher education physical infrastructure and facilities management.
THE Impact Rankings
Macquarie University reports annually to Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings, which assess how the global higher education sector is performing against the United Nations SDGs.
Sustainable Retailers
Macquarie University strives to be sustainable in all that we do - even down to the small details.
Sustainability principles have been incorporated into the retail leases of the range of different food vendors around the Central Courtyard Precinct.